Maryland’s House of Delegates passed a bill on Saturday that would expand the state’s Medicaid This program covers gender-affirming techniques for transgender, intersex and other gender-diverse individuals.
The Trans Health Equity ActThe HB0283 Act would be an essential part of ensuring low-income transgenders have access to gender reassignment services. Maryland Residents can contact Medicaid Private insurance often covers hormone therapy and puberty blocking drugs, as well as hair alterations and surgeries for the face.
Data from the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, 24,000 Maryland Residents are transgender and there are over 6,000 enrolled. Medicaid. In 2022, 98 transgender Maryland The residents were gender-affirming care through Medicaid.
But the state’s Medicaid Program available only covers some gender-affirming proceduresFor patients aged 18 or older with specific qualifications, this includes hormone replacement therapy and gender reassignment surgeries. Private insurance often covers gender-affirming services.
This legislation is a copy of the one that was rejected last year. passed in the House Final vote was 93 to 37. At the meeting, many Democrats discussed their support of the legislation. Anne Kaiser was the sponsoring delegate.
“We don’t have representation in this House by anyone in the trans community. So myself and, my 59 co-sponsors we are your voice. We are your representation,” Kaiser said.
Elle continued: “We recognize that what is being said nationally … about trans people are the same lies that were said about gays and lesbians 20 years ago, and that’s part of the reason I feel the passion and the connection to our trans brothers and sisters, our neighbors, our community.”
House Republicans proposed an amendment to the bill on Friday that would prevent qualifying individuals under age 18 from being provided gender-affirming care — a move that It reflects national attacks These life-saving services are available to transgender teens.
“This is not about health. This is about male-to-female transition and female-to-male transition of children,” Mark Fisher, a Republican delegate, was the one who suggested the amendment. Baltimore BannerHe shared his concern about the possibility of minors receiving surgery such as vaginectomies or mastectomies.
Bonnie Cullison (a Democrat) stressed that “this is absolutely about health.” Cullison countered Fisher’s argument by adding that the surgeries he’s concerned about would only be provided under extreme circumstances and when medically necessary and indicated for the individual’s health. A consultation must be held between parents, patients and their medical providers before any medical treatment that is gender affirming can take place.
Fisher’s proposed amendment to bar minors from receiving gender-affirming care failed by 90-37, according to the Baltimore Banner. Another Republican-backed amendment, which would have prevented minors from being granted gender-affirming services without their consent, was defeated in the Baltimore Banner. House From 91-36
This legislation now goes to the Senate. It will, if it is passed, be sent to the Governor. Wes Moore has been previously expressed support for the legislation. The bill’s passage in the House It arrives among the 426 anti-LGBTQ legislation There are many changes taking place across the country, including bans on drag shows and restrictions on gender affirming care.
